Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation on Thursday with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia.

The two leaders expressed their deep concern over the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran, as well as the subsequent regrettable attacks on other brotherly Gulf countries. He informed the Indonesian President of Pakistan's diplomatic outreach efforts with all the Gulf countries in the aftermath of the crisis.

Both leaders agreed to work together to urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, while pursuing sincere and serious initiatives to resolve all outstanding differences, through constructive dialogue and diplomacy.

During the telephone call, the Prime Minister also briefed President Prabowo Subianto on recent developments vis-a-vis Afghanistan. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in coming days.

Meanwhile PM Shehbaz Sharif in a statement issued on X wrote 'Had a most productive conversation today with my dear brother President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia over telephone. We exchanged views on the deeply concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the urgent need for restraint and renewed diplomacy to prevent further escalation. We also discussed recent developments in Afghanistan, and agreed to remain in close contact in the days ahead as we work together for peace and stability in the region'.